Page 77 of Exes and Oh Hell No

The white hockey mask comes into focus.

There’s no expression.

No emotion.

The figure just stares at me, his eyes dark and empty.

My breath rattles from me in a short, shaky burst.

He doesn’t move.

Neither do I.

A long, horrible moment stretches between us, his eyes never leaving mine.

And then, his head tilts.

A slow, deliberate motion.

I choke on my own breath.

My legs are suddenly jelly beneath me.

I turn and run for my life.

27

HARPER

My lungs seize as I stumble through the dark woods, fleeing for my life.

Confusion and disorientation have me in a chokehold as my eyes dart around wildly.

Everything blends together.

All the trees, rocks, and jagged branches shaking in the wind, all of it indistinguishable, not offering me any clue as to where I’m heading.

Am I still on the right path?

Does this trail lead me back to the safety and security of Ford’s arms?

Hell, I’d even take Connor’s class clown behavior over whoever in the hell is wearing the white mask behind me.

I hear the crunch of rocks and leaves beneath his feet as he chases me.

Don’t look back!

Keep going!

A sharp, stabbing pain goes through my ribs.

A frantic, desperate whimper rolls from my lips as the terror takes control of me.

I hear an evil, cackling laugh behind me.

A shiver races up my spine, and my sweat-slicked skin is covered in goosebumps.

“Dear God. Please, save me.”

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